Brad Pitt has more to say about Angelina Jolie’s double mastectomy! Can I just say? I’m glad that Angelina Jolie announced her medical choice the way that she did, in a well-written, explanatory op-ed, and I like how she just left it out there for people to discuss at will. I watched All In With Chris Hayes last night, and his big story at the end of the show about Angelina and breast cancer and health care, and I think so many straight-news shows are covering it that way, as they should. That’s what Angelina wanted, I think. She announced it her way and she controlled how the information was released, but she doesn’t want to control the spin. Which is a great way to handle it.
Anyway, Brad issued a statement yesterday, hours after Angelina’s op-ed went online, and it seems that he also sat down with USA Today yesterday to discuss the situation. You can read the full USA Today piece here, and here are some highlights:
How Brad feels: “I’m quite emotional about it, of course. She could have stayed absolutely private about it and I don’t think anyone would have been none the wiser with such good results. But it was really important to her to share the story and that others would understand it doesn’t have to be a scary thing. In fact, it can be an empowering thing, and something that makes you stronger and us stronger.”
How Jolie kept her commitments: Pitt spoke with proud wonderment recounting how Jolie kept commitments in the past two months visiting the Congo, as well as London for the G-8 Foreign Ministers Conference and New York to honor Pakistani teen Malala Yousafzai. “This was during Stage 2 (when the double mastectomy was performed),” he said. “Literally it was just weeks after she’d had truly major surgery.”
Making recovery fun: “We set up our own little post-op recovery that became pretty fun. You make an adventure out of it.”
The experience was… “an emotional and beautifully inspiring few months. And I’ll tell you, it’s such a wonderful relief to come through this and not have a spectre hanging over our heads. To know that that’s not going to be something that’s going to affect us. My most proudest thing is our family. This isn’t going to get that.”
Yeah. Brad’s not the most eloquent person, but I believe he’s speaking from the heart, and more than that, I believe that, at this point, having gone through everything they’ve gone through, Brad knows that he and Angelina are in it for the long-haul. They always said that their children bound them together more than any piece of paper, but I think this experience has made them tighter than ever before.
I previewed People Magazine’s cover story in the earlier Jolie-Pitt post, but here’s the whole online article:
Angelina Jolie is one resilient mom.
The actress, 37, has experienced no complications since undergoing a double mastectomy in February and reconstructive surgery in April. “She is doing well,” a source tells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story.
But her medical odyssey is not done. The mother of six is also planning to undergo surgery to remove her ovaries. Because of her “faulty” BRCA1 gene, she still faces a high risk of developing ovarian cancer, which her doctors estimate at 50 percent. Some doctors recommend patients undergo the surgery by age 40 or when a woman is done having children, though it may trigger early menopause.
For now, though, the actress and her fiancé, Brad Pitt, have been focused on maintaining a sense of routine for their kids – keeping up family traditions such as a Valentine’s Day gift exchange and an Easter egg hunt while Jolie was undergoing treatment.
In the weeks surrounding the surgeries, “life was normal” for the children, says a source, and they didn’t notice anything amiss.Adds a family insider: “Her kids always come first to her.”
For much more on this story, including Jolie’s family’s life during her treatment, how Brad has supported Angelina and how her mom inspired her, pick up this week’s PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday
Angelina’s mother Marcheline had ovarian cancer for years, and it’s interesting to me (medically) that Angelina’s doctors thought she had a higher risk for breast cancer as opposed to ovarian cancer. But it does sound like Angelina is going to be dealing with her ovarian cancer risk soon, probably this year. Be well, Angelina!
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.
Good for her for doing this & taking preventative measures.
Question: Does this procedure effect a woman’s hormones/libido?
The breasts have nothing to do with hormone production and therefore libido. If they were able to save the nipple and the nerves remained intact she sould be able to thoroughly enjoy her new breasts. If not, I guess it’s still the least of her problems, being healthy counts for much more than tickling nipples.
could you just give your two cents worth without being a condescending bovine…
Generally, breast removal doesn’t have that serious of an effect on libido, from what I recall from learning about it in college (I mean biologically – many women struggle with losing their breasts and it does impact your sex life, but it’s more of a psychological/emotional hurdle). However, partial or full removal of the ovaries, tubes and/or uterus CAN have effects on your sexuality. Your ovaries are one of the major hormone centers of your body, and removing them can impact your body. Some women who have that done actually enter menopause as a result. Anf of course, it means the end of biological childbearing (if the uterus is removed as well and the eggs are not preserved). So yes, it can absolutely affect your libido.
Not every woman who enters menopause has a lowered libido, you know. Mine is just fine, if not bit more intense than it was before.
Your mothers may or may not feel comfortable saying so, but contrary to popular urban myths, sex does ‘not’ stop after 50. 🙂
Emma, the saying I was taught is “Sex doesn’t stop, but it sure does change.” Your referring to the mental sex drive, which is actually a psychological response, not a physical one. Menopause causes serious changes in hormones, which regardless of whether your mental sex drive remains high, your body does slack off a bit. The largest noted change is usually a sharp drop in, ahem, lubrication. That tends to cause a lot of women frustration and pain during sex (until they start using the artificial stuff).
A hysterectomy does not bring on instant menopause unless the ovaries are also removed. After my hysterectomy my sex drive went through the roof. It was so liberating to be able to have sex at any time in the month, never again to have excruciating menstrual cramps caused by fibroids, and never again to have to worry about getting pregnant.
@Sam, who wrote: “Emma, the saying I was taught is “Sex doesn’t stop, but it sure does change.” Your referring to the mental sex drive, which is actually a psychological response, not a physical one.”
No, I’m pretty sure I’m talking about the ‘physical’ sexual response. I ‘could’ be more graphic, but I might shock the children. 🙂 Let’s just say I haven’t experienced any of the ‘physical’ changes we were told happens when you hit menopause. No slowing down, no dryness, no physical loss of interest. But maybe it’s genetics? My mother retained her normal sex drive throughout her 60’s (or said she said).
I hope I’m like my mother and have another good 12-years left in me. 🙂
And no, I don’t take any hormones. The hot flashes ‘can’ be a pain at times (they usually hit me at night), but I don’t feel it’s drastic enough (for me) to take hormones over.
Damn Emma, you are so lucky! I am hardly 42 and dry as a desert,for two years, excep tfor a day or two every month. 🙁 including skin changes, etc, and lower libido wich kills me.
I suspect depression has something to do with it, but I am undiagnosed. Anyway, ENJOY!!!! (Jealous)
Emma, you can experience lesser symptoms of menopause (or none at all) if your hormonal drop-off rate is very long and gradual. That happens. I was referring expressly to the question, which is what happens if your ovaries are totally removed. In that case, the hormonal drop-off would be severe and immediate, the the symptoms would likely be acute and cause negative side effects. Your menopause was totally natural, AJ’s won’t be, so I think that distinction needs to be made.
I think removing the ovaries always results in immediate menopause, because menopause is technically when the ovaries stop producing eggs, right? Maybe the symptoms of menopause don’t start immediately, but I think no ovaries = menopause.
It doesn’t affect a woman’s libido at all, however if she chooses to have her ovaries removed, that means cessation of estrogen production and she may have to go onto some type of natural hormone replacement (not estrogen, which can cause an increase in uterine cancer) or it’s instant menopause.
Yes, removing your ovaries does cause loss of estrogen and you will go into menopause. She will have to take estrogen and progestrogen supplements. It’s not easy. You body has to adjust, she will be having major hot flashes if she hasn’t started already. She is at the peri-menopausal state where things start happening to women. It’s happening younger and younger too. Not at age 50 something as we all have been led to believe.
Natural replacement estrogen did not work for me. I’m 40, I am taking estrogen, a very low dose and have been doing this for 3 yrs now. I go to the dr’s every year and get checked.
I’m in the same boat. Aging sucks.
Not everyone has excruciating menopause. I had one hot flash (although I did have night sweats) and my period just stopped. No tapering off. But I went through it very early. Family trait.
@bluhare
My darling, you were lucky. Earlier this year, I went through a period of getting up to 20 excruciating hot flashes a day and regularly having to change my sheets in the middle of the night. It was compounded by a severe vita D deficiency. Awful.
mich, I know I am physically. Mentally’s another story. It brought a condition out of remission. But, that being said, it is under control as well.
I can’t imagine having that many hot flashes a day. I literally couldn’t move the one time I had one.
Perimenooause can last from 3 months to 10 years, and its the stage most women experience hot flashes, sweats, etc… Also happens during menopause but symptoms tend to taper off. So someone women just have a shorter endurance of the experiencing the effects of it. Look at your mother/grandmothers history (unless there are underlying medical conditions) and it’s an indicator of when you will began and end menopause.
If she tested brca pos then hormone replacement may not be an option. Some breast ca are caused by estrogen which is why drug therapy like tamoxifen is not used since it is an estrogen based drug….. kinda like gas on a fire.
Don’t know about a double mastectomy but I can say that having a total hysterectomy does screw with you hormonally. I had one at age 26 and BAM right into menopause. It was hell and my doctor put me on hormone replacement therapy, which I have been taking for over 25 years now.
This surgery causes all kinds of problems. It messes with you mentally and physically. And now with all the horrendous medical news about HRT is just adds more stress to my life. I am damned if I do and damned if I don’t continue my medication.
Thanks for the insight. I had heard about the ovarian removal maybe causing a lower libido, etc and think I confused the masectomy with that.
Sorry you had to go through all of that, and in your 20s no less. A little different but I had breast cancer in my 20s (turning 40 now). Anyway, glad to know you’re still going strong years later.
Thanks for sharing. Sorry you had to go through it so young.
buell – my sympathies to you. That was a tough break. I also had everything removed (cancer) and NO ONE said a thing about the side effects of surgery/instant menopause. Migraines, weird pains, all kinds of shit. Some warning would have been helpful!
OMG Buell.. Same here at 26 because of Ovarian cancer. For 3 yrs took estrogen replace & wondered what the fuss was. Be careful of curiousity.. Got my answer 3 yrs later when Zi had OV Cancer again. When they opened me up ( I had old way cuz my insides were all messed up & organs too small from another health crisis). Had a malignamt ttumor the size of an apple growing from a minuscule tiny piece of ovary they missed the first time. So second time dealt w/ chemo after removal & menopause. After all the recovery… I totally understand now first hand how miserable it can be. I hope you & @ Belle are both doing well otherwise now. Wish you both many years of good health 🙂
As an ovarian cancer survivor, who had her ovaries surgically removed, I was told that 98 percent of women in my paricular boat hit menopause within 2 days. Everyone in my young survivors group hit menopause immediately as well. Yes it can affect your libido. It’s also particularly hard when your husband’s libido is the same as it ever was. It’s dangerous for those of us who are estrogen receptive to receive HRT. I’m telling you when they actually come up with viagra for women, it will blow viagra sales off the charts.
I had my uterus and ovaries removed about a month ago due to extreme endometriosis and I entered surgical menopause within 4 days of the surgery (I’m 48 and haven’t had any menopause symptoms prior to surgery but had to have several surgeries to deal with endo). It’s been a very rough month since I can’t take HRT or any hormones due to blood clotting disorder – hot flashes are not even that bad, the worst, IMO, it’s sleeplessness. True, there is lower libido too, but women who are on HRT, as Angelina no doubt will be, don’t experience those symptoms. Having just had that surgery I feel for her – it’s not easy mentally, emotionally and physically. But with the right person at your side (my hubby has been wonderful, literally holding my hand day and night post surgery) she’ll get through it.
There are a few things women can do after surgery. Removing the ovaries–the major source of estrogen and progesterone production–puts you into immediate menopause. There are a few things you can do about the symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy (pills) can be tried but if you are having your ovaries removed because of cancer risk from estrogen, then HRT isn’t for you. For dryness and vaginal pain (esp. from sex or a gynecologic exam) you can try the topical estrogen creams, which don’t really increase the amount of estrogens in your blood circulation. You can also try vaginal moisturizers like Replens. There are more our there but I can’t remember the names off the top of my head. The moisturizers are different from lubricants like Astroglide or KY.
For the moisturizers (I’m a surgeon, I recommend these to my breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy which puts you into menopause as well sometimes) I tell them to ignore what the directions on the box and use it two to three times a day, every day. You can use KY/Astroglide/lubricants for sex to help it out. If those two things aren’t enough, you can try using dilators to “open things up” initially, until the vaginal tissue becomes more supple and soft. This is more often needed in the case where someone has been suffering for months before starting the moisturizer/lubricant route.
I also try to tell patients that sex, love, and intimacy are all three different things and each of them is affected by cancer, surgery, self-image, and general health. Sex can be difficult at first, but working on maintaining intimacy can really help things along.
This isn’t specifically in response to your message, but I thought I’d put it out there.
I love this place. A surgeon, psychiatrist, geneticist all hanging with us regulars. Not to mention others I’m forgetting.
Thank you, notafan. That helps a lot.
Links !
http://www.lbbc.org/Learning-From-Others/Ask-the-Expert/2012-03-Sex-and-Intimacy
There is also a company that specifically makes a product line for breast cancer women, but I can’t find the link for that!
Minxx, I feel for you. The surgery is THE WORST. As far as the insomnia is concerned, I got hit hard by that as well and six years later I can’t sleep without assistance. My doc recommended two benadryl—it’s over the counter, generic and extremely affordable, and IT WORKS! It will also help with night sweats, if you’re having them, by knocking you into rem sleep.
Notafan—great information!
@Loira if you haven’t already, you could try ganja for your depression – it could help if it works with your body chemistry.
It’s refreshing to see these kind of … displays of afection -if you will. Admiration for your partner is such a big part of a succesful relationship & I truly belive they’re in awe of each other. I might be a softie, but I love this.
This story still makes me tear up. I really hope Angie is well and have such respect for her bravery. And yes, Brad’s words are not nearly as eloquent as Angie’s, but I do think he spoke from the heart.
Tears from me, too. I just had a 35 year old friend die of ovarian cancer. I am a Licensed Acupuncturist, and while there are many things we can do to help the person (at different stages, we try different strategies), sometimes you just can’t beat genetics and environmental influences. I have been an Angelina fan for years onw (since Gia) and this took it to a whole new level. Brightest blessings on those who fight, their families and other loved ones who stand by their sides, and the medical advances (from whatever spectrum of medical knowledge) that keep them alive/cure them/give them additional time to wrap up their earth bound existences. Life is too short as it is~
I think AJ is fortunate to have a partner who is so clear about what is required and is devoted to her. I’ve met women whose marriages or relationships have ended over stuff like this – the other partner just couldn’t handle the stress, was turned off by the bodily changes, etc. It’s sad, but it happens. Sounds like Brad has the right attitude and is dedicated to the process. Can’t really ask for more than that in a partner, i guess.
I remember Angie remarking after the twins were born how Brad found her body more attractive because the changes were the result of bringing their children into the world (or something close to that). I’ll bet it did wonders for her self/body image and esteem. You’ve just got to love a man who says shit like that to his woman. 🙂
That also tells me the love they have for each other is the real deal.
Brad was also with Angie and James Haven in the hospital room when Marcheline passed away. He said experiencing their grief when their mother passed away was one of the hardest things he’s ever witnessed. But he was there for every painful moment of it, providing what comfort he could. I’m sure Angie will never forget it.
Couldn’t have said it better. I hope Ange is OK.
Again I say, what a wonderful thing to have huge amounts of support during a health crisis. My admiration towards Brad and Angelina has grown leaps and bounds. I love how Angelina grabbed her power, and made a wise decision about her body and health. To be going through this emotional time, and soldier on is a true testament of her character. I respect the hell out of her and Brad. It’s a little emotional for me.
She’s probably waiting so she can freeze some eggs.
No idea, of course, but my guess is she’s already done it, and is now just waiting for the breast surgery to heal and settle. Assuming they want more biological children.
Can you still carry a baby to term after you’ve had your ovaries removed? Even with horomone replacement, it is still possible?
Also she might be getting too old to have any more children. She’s 37 now. You figure it will take her a few years to heal from all of these surgeries/procedures. Having a child at 39-40, while not unheard of, might not be in the cards. I think if they want more children after her health is back in order, they’ll adopt.
Or she might use a surrogate, as Nicole Kidman and Sarah Jessica Parker each have done.
They both seem to make raising children a priority over a particular way of having children enter their family, though, so it wouldn’t surprise me if they continued to adopt if they do want more children.
You can carry a pregnancy without ovaries with IVF and probably hormone injections
Yes, this can be a HUGE stress on relationships. Brad was also there as her mother was dying/died, so they have already bonded though some VERY challenging times. On a lighter note, I LOVE that Brad made Angie’s post op recovery a fun project for the kids- very good parenting.
I just got to the bottom of the thread and saw that you also mentioned Brad being with Angie and James Haven when their mother passed away. Sorry! I have a bad habit of posting before reading all of the posts. 🙂
I just love this couple so much. They have been though alot together in 8 years. She has given birth to three children, adopted three children, her mother’s passing, her reuniting with her estranged father, their engagement, and now fighting an illness. These highs and lows have only made them stronger. I agree Kaiser, Brad and Angie are in it for the long haul. I come hear because of the kind comments about Angie’s decision. There are people saying she shouldn’t be praised because she did not have cancer, she just wanted breast implants, and some even act like it’s her fault the health care is so bad. Some are still screaming homewrecker This woman is just living her life like she is suppose to and she isn’t suppose to please anyone. She loves her family and she chose to do the best thing for them.
I love your post, except I’d say she’s preventing an illness, not fighting it. And I applaud her for doing so. There’s an article on the Pink Lotus (is that the name?) website from the doctor who treated her.
With this type of publicity his next movie might not bomb. Wasn’t he photographed all over Europe during Angie’s surgeries selling his wine or whatever? Hope angelina had some real support through it and this isn’t just pr because he’s afraid the movie that needs 500 million just to break even is going to be a thud at the box office.
Lol
I was just going to post how everyone’s comments are so touching with information and personal experiences. How no one was taking this touching story and breaking it down to simple PR because Brad and Angie can do nothing without it being a calculated PR move, right? Ugh!
This kind of story will bring attention to cancer sufferers, early detection, and family history. Many women don’t do home breast exams or get yearly paps and maybe this will make them think twice about it. This story isn’t the kind to make people see a film. Those stories are the kind where the actors share experiences that are close to those in the film. Like… Brad shares a story where he met a zombie… Not this. Don’t simplify the story to paint them in a bad light. It’s a good message to get out there.
It’s like some people really think that the public will be all, “Oh, Brad is so nice to Angelina. That makes me want to watch him run from zombies.”
Oh Drea How true.. I’m now going to the movies to watch WWZ cuz Angelina had a double mastectomy.. Did it work for CZJ? when Michael Douglas announced he was at stage 4 throat cancer? Or Gene Wilder when Gilda was losing her battle to cancer? These people come up with the most ridic things.. We really shouldn’t take these comments seriously because they are really comical. “I’m dying but I have to bring attention to partner’s or husband’s movie”..
Brad was not photographed all over France selling “their” wine during Angelina’s surgeries. You need to get your facts and dates straight. Oh, I forgot…when your are hating on Brad Pitt all logic and intelligence goes out the window.
First off its their wine not his and he was in France in March for 4 or 5 days Angilena surgery happened Febuary 2nd, February 16th and April 27th.
I was waiting for someone to make some nasty, snarky comment that Angie did this purely as a publicity stunt. Honey, you never disappoint.
Seriously? When is Z opening? There’s more than a month to go, while the movie media are besieged by the heavy promo for STiD right on the tail of Iron Man, with Cannes starting. This story is about her, and his sympathetic part in it, dropped this early, isn’t enough to sell a whole movie. As for the wine comment, don’t mix up the stock agency photos with actual appearances.
Go back to JustJared where you wish daily that a family with six children breaks up.You are pathetic.
@ LoL and Jessie
You’re kidding me, right?
NO woman would put herself through this type of life altering surgery to sell wine, movies or anything else on the planet. And if Angie wanted implants, she certainly could have gotten them without the pain, the emotional fallout of a mastectomy and the physical therapy she’ll have had to restore movement to the muscles around her chest and arms.
And that *pales in comparison* to the emotional and physical hell she’ll go through with a total hysterectomy. That BRCA1 gene is absolutely nothing to fool around with. It is a ticking time bomb and your death from cancer is assured with that genetic TNT in your body.
I have always felt sort of “meh” about The Jolie…until yesterday. That woman is a hero to her family, and my respect and gratitude for her public candor about her surgery is overwhelming. Speaking as someone who also carries the BRCA1 gene, I am fully aware of what my future will bring, and have already started taking steps to avoid genetically assured cancer. Angie is now my biggest hero. God bless you, Angelina Jolie!!
It was LoL being ignorant as always. I said no such thing. My comment as a huge Angelina supports her choice.Maybe you need to go back and read it. I said I hate the comments I have been hearing some people accuse her of such wanting implants, America’s health insurance and the homewrecker comments
@ Jessie..
I did go back and read your comment again – totally my bad, sincere apologies!
The fact that anyone would turn AJ’s double mastectomy into a PR ploy make me want to punch myself in the face. It is sickening and I was really hoping not to hear anyone spin this into something negative. 🙁
Again, sorry, Jessie. Nothing but love and respect t!
Brads timeline IS suspect. Not buying the supportive partner story either. Bet hes still shagging his hot PA. Who can blame him. Angie is so full of herself she couldnt fit another inch (or Brads pathetic 4 inches) if she tried. I wish they and the Anistons would just varnish!
Honey, you’re going to choke on all that haterade you’ve been drinking.
Yet you are here rather than ignoring the post SMH Pathetic
I’ll be in good company what with you choking on that Kool Aid.
I missed the memo that requires me to like the celebrities you like, so excuse me and my glory.
I just reread this piece. Brad is clearly dumber than a bunch of rocks. Thankfully some of those kids are adopted and therefore ducked the dumbass genes.
I’ll be in good company what with you choking on that Kool Aid.
I missed the memo that requires me to like the celebrities you like, so excuse me and my glory.
I just reread this piece. Brad is clearly dumber than a bunch of rocks. Thankfully some of those kids are adopted and therefore ducked the dumbass genes.
@Janet
LOL…
Nupur, please go troll somewhere else.
Either you’re making sport of people’s reactions or you’re simply a vile person.
Either way, totally inappropriate comments, buh-bye.
Sorry you find divergent opinion so threatening karmaisabiatch. Good luck with that.
Just to recap; Angie is a self important schemer. Brad is an aging pretty boy stoner who probably did his PA. The kids are ok, kids should be off limits anyway.
@Nupur, who wrote: “Brads timeline IS suspect. Not buying the supportive partner story either. Bet hes still shagging his hot PA. Who can blame him. Angie is so full of herself she couldnt fit another inch (or Brads pathetic 4 inches) if she tried. I wish they and the Anistons would just varnish!”
And …
“Just to recap; Angie is a self important schemer. Brad is an aging pretty boy stoner who probably did his PA. The kids are ok, kids should be off limits anyway.”
It’s all good … That is, assuming you’ve also made negative comments on Jennifer Aniston threads here as well. Otherwise, you really ‘would’ be a troll just in it for the hate, wouldn’t you?
Why? Would that satisfy your sense of natural justice?? OK here goes; Jen Anniston has crap hair. Do I pass? Am I now allowed to hold a contrary opinion? AJ has never made an uncalculated move in her life – FACT.
Nupe, you need help. You are a very damaged individual. Nobody should have to carry around all that spite and bitterness. I truly feel sorry for you.
You can have your opinion, Nupur.
But the moment you put your opinion out there, people will have opinions on your opinion. Don’t start whining about you getting called out on your ‘divergent opinion’, when you start by saying something vile yourself.
If you can’t take it, don’t dish it out.
@Nupur, who wrote: “Why? Would that satisfy your sense of natural justice?? OK here goes; Jen Anniston has crap hair. Do I pass? Am I now allowed to hold a contrary opinion? AJ has never made an uncalculated move in her life – FACT.”
Nope, but it might have proven you’re not the TROLL we all now know you to be.
You are probably one of our ‘friends’ from FF or Ian Undercover, but you might also be someone who usually posts negative comments on the Jolie-Pitt threads here at CB, whose name we ‘would’ recognize, so you’re using an alias.
My guess would be Ian Undercover, since you pulled Brad Pitt into the hate too (as further punishment for daring to leave poor, sweet, all-natural Jennifer Aniston), rather than focusing solely on Angelina Jolie. However, if you ‘are’ someone who just happened to wander into our midst here at CB to snark on the Jolie-Pitts … please know that we try to provide links to articles, sites, or photos to back up our FACTS.
Have a wonderful day 🙂
I really have to believe it’s fear, not courage that drives her. I have no opinion one way or the other on her surgery– I honestly don’t know enough about it. But I do know if I was loaded, and a dr told me if you spend enough money we can get you as close to immortal as possible, you’re not going to say no. What is not to love about life with 4 multi million dollar homes all over the world, red carpet galas, designer everything…
The rest of the world, who can’t afford the testing, the elective surgeries, the expensive reconstruction surgery, who have to wake up every day, and know that one day a number of cancers that run in their family make come to be their worst reality, and there’s nothing they can do except face their own tango with mortality— that’s courage. They don’t have science, money, or a health care system on their side, just their own strength or mind and will power to live.
I agree.
Yet the likes of you find extremely courreagous and even heroic that a richer, healthy female with several homes for herself, two chefs and 100+ millions in the bank crying and whining for years over a divorce with no kids involved and her own string of lovers in the mix, a woman whose claim to courrage was and i quote her “to have no mascara on to play a character”.
Yes, i know that courrage defines itself differently for those who support the bimbo in what she consider her hardships in life and yet have the nerves to question Jolie’s own level of courrage facing illness by comparison.
1. Please read her NYT piece.
2. Yes, anyone can be courageous, and courage is not restricted to gender, class or any other discriminating factor.
3. How many articles or previvor or survivor tales have you read that garnered this huge a response or coverage? And don’t go blaming Jolie for the dumb celebrity culture.
4. And she s incredibly incredibly brave for having opened up her life for people like you to pass judgements (of course you have all the right, so
keep judging. More power to her.). I wish there could be a rational discussion about universal health care, without diminishing Jolie’s courage for her choice. And I m sure that’s what she wanted too, you ll see it if you read her article.
She didn’t have to share this very personal situation with us. I believe her intentions were pure, and using this as a learning tool for others. She has a ton of money, all true. However, cancer doesn’t discriminate against those who are wealthy. You can have multi homes, or none, and cancer can devastate both equally. Angelina made a decision for herself and for her family. it took courage to make that choice, then to share that choice. I can’t sit back and have someone bad mouth a good human being, who has shown huge kindness over and over again.
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear. ~Ambrose Redmoon
How is it different. AJ maybe made peace with her own mortality, but didn’t want her children and Brad to see her suffer and to be lost and depressed after her passing like she was after her mom passed. If you break anything down enough there are no selfless acts. We’re all selfish all the time if you want to get to the base of every motivation.
Maybe, you see fear as the main motivation because that’s what would drive you and that’s the only way you can see the thought process playing out. You seem to be saying the rich choose their next action out of fear and only the poor have true courage in these experiences.
It’s truly inventive to see how people will take a persons own experience that they are sharing to help make early screenings more accessible and twist it around because they’re rich and therefore all actions made are out of fear and vanity. Again. We’re losing the core message here because you don’t like the messenger.
YESS!! I was just going to reply with that quote.
Fear isn’t a weakness, especially when you can stare it in the face and turn it into something very productive.
I feel ashamed to say it but I agree too. It took a lot of strength to do what she did but come on now. She’s working to save her own life. Thats a pretty human thing to do and she’s fortunate to have the money to pay for it and the time to do it. She’s also very fortunate to have such a supportive partner. Personally I have been thru some medical procedures myself over the years and it really sucks when you’re partner is more about themselves and how things affect them than they are about taking care of you.
Understand that I don’t say this with any ill-will. She seems like a wonderful person and I admire how she kept her work commitments during the whole ordeal. But I don’t get the whole “hero” angle.
Delta
Heroic is the word used. Heroic is defined in very simple terms. Those terms are relative to the circumstances and individuals involved. Something that is heroic to some is not heroic to others.
For example. The 9/11 rescuers. They were doing their job. They get pay, benefits, and retirement for it. Yet some were called heroic for their actions on that day while all other days and rescues are not really seen like that. That’s just a hot button example.
She explained how she saw her mother suffer and how that changed her. She didn’t want to put her children through that pain so she’s taken steps to prevent it. This may very well be “heroic” in the truest sense to them. You are removed from their family and view her in a way they don’t. Her choice and circumstances leading up to her decision did not impact you like it did them. So, you do not see how her action was “heroic” in the way they do.
I hope this explains it for you.
Well said DeltaJuliet. Honestly if I had the money I would have the procedure done, as both my mother and maternal grandmother had breast cancer. But I can’t afford the genetic test much less the procedure
Lol. Yes. Talking about how shitty things are for people without means is really a downer isn’t it. We should avoid it all together. So unpleasant!
If it is fear what drives her, what is the problem? Of course it is fear, fear of not seeing her children become adults, of never meeting her eventual grandchildren, fear of her children having to deal with a mom with cancer.
Fear is usually what makes people corageous. Fear is not bad.
About the money and immortality. Yes, rich people rule the world already, rich people get access to many things. Poor people have poor diets because it is what is cheaper, and also because they ignore how harmful are somethings for them. Rich people can do exercise all day long and have chefs at their disposition , spend money on beauty treatments, and pass their time lounging at the beach and keeping up with friends and hobbies.
I admire that AJ could do this all year long, and still she does something else, including putting her experiences out for people to criticize it.
I read the article, and I think the main points of it were to describe the process as doable, even if expensive , and to highlight the need for women to have access for these type of tests, which are expensive, but that provide with information that will help you make a decision.
She knows it is expensive, she makes a point out of it. Talking about this is can make a change. She is not going to make the change, people and their demands can change things up.
Just looking for negatives does not add anything positive, if you complain about how prohibitive is, then demand your representatives for some kind of action in your health system, and to other governments around the world too.
You know, I too have mixed feelings about this procedure.
Of course removal of the tissues/organs is one way to deal with high risk for breast/ovarian cancer, but I feel the recommendation for the procedure is much more frequent in the US than in other countries, as for instance here in Italy.
Maybe it has to do with the different Health System…? Since here the State covers most if not all of the costs, the common procedure comprises of very frequent tests and check ups, not in pre-emptive surgery.
I’d be interested in someone’s opinion on this difference, if anyone has inside knowledge.
RocketMerry
In the US cancer treatment is often a long, expensive, painful road that many can’t afford. It’s a better option from a financial standpoint to just take out whatever might be the source on their cancer, start the chemo, and then hope all preventative steps taken does the trick.
I stated in another post women here do not get the annual pap and monthly self-breast exams like they should. Paps are now for the most part free. Our diets and overall health is terrible. Sometimes the cancer is harder to fight for all of these circumstances. And sometimes women hear this and just want to take everything with a cancerous cell out in 1 big purge than to go through the pain and expense.
Frequent mammograms aren’t really a great solution for women with BRCA mutations. The explanation for why is a little complicated though, so bear with me …
Mammograms are low-level x-rays. X-rays damage cells.
Normally, the body will repair a damaged cell, or kill it. In breast and ovarian tissue, that repair/kill job is largely run by the BRCA genes.
So having a faulty BRCA gene doesn’t directly cause cancer … but it means that when you do get a damaged cell there’s a much higher chance that the body is NOT going to be able to repair/kill it, and it’ll turn into a cancerous tumour.
That means mammograms have a teensy (miniscule!) risk of causing cancer in a normal women, but are a much larger risk for a woman with a faulty BRCA gene.
So you have to balance the risk of doing them too frequently, and CAUSING the cancer you’re trying to find vs the risk of not doing them often enough, and not finding a fast-growing cancer until it’s too late.
You can avoid that balancing act, but you have to sacrifice the breasts.
The decision hasn’t got anything to do with cost (Jolie could’ve afforded a daily mammogram if she’d wanted). It’s about whether you can live with that fear/uncertainty (it’s often likened to having a “ticking time bomb on your chest”).
If prophylactic mastectomies are rare in Italy, then I’d say it’s just one of those odd cultural things. Italian doctors/patients must be a little more comfortable with the uncertainty, a little less inclined towards aggressive/radical measures.
She wouldn’t be human if she didn’t have fear about her chances of getting cancer with that gene mutation. But she didn’t have to tell the world either.
And I hate to break it to you, but life is about a lot more than $4 million houses and jetting around the world.
@Jessica, who wrote: “The rest of the world, who can’t afford the testing, the elective surgeries, the expensive reconstruction surgery, who have to wake up every day, and know that one day a number of cancers that run in their family make come to be their worst reality, and there’s nothing they can do except face their own tango with mortality— that’s courage. They don’t have science, money, or a health care system on their side, just their own strength or mind and will power to live.”
You know, it’s not that you hate … it’s that your hate makes you blind to logic and reason. For instance, did you know that America is one of the few Democratic countries in the world without a free healthcare system? Did you know that in most of those countries with Government Healthcare systems, this treatment–all stages–is covered? There are even some insurance companies in America that cover all stages of this treatment.
Perhaps your rant would be better served aimed at your State and/or U.S. Congressman and Senator, especially if you live in one of the States attempting to block the U.S. National Healthcare system do to be implemented in 2014.
Please start a petition for comprehensive Healthcare reform as your passion and misguided hate is wasted here.
“Perhaps your rant would be better served aimed at your State and/or U.S. Congressman and Senator, especially if you live in one of the States attempting to block the U.S. National Healthcare system do to be implemented in 2014.”
Agreed. Why is this being made Angelina’s problem? Yes it is an expensive and controversial procedure, but that’s not her doing. Maybe her bringing it into the limelight will change some of that. People need to stop projecting their anger at the healthcare system in the US onto Angelina!!
Excellent, intelligent, thoughtful response. Wasted, though, on the small minded.
Hate? Show me the hate in her post. You ate taking this too personally. I love that AJ is being public about her situation. But the fact of the matter is, her prevention procedures areonly available to the wealthy. I can’t even tell you how long I and my 9 year-old have been without medical insurance. It is soul crushing to say the least.
@ Lulu.T.O.
You are missing what many people from around the world have been saying for the last two days. Other countries with comprehensive health care systems cover this. The United States is a mess and the myth that the quality of health care is superior is just that, a myth.
All the more reason to fight like hell for health care reform and to ensure that affordable options for preventative screening, like Planned Parenthood, aren’t hounded into oblivion.
Ms. Jolie is not equal to other women. She is rich, and has access to the best medical care available, as well as time to recover. Let’s not forget top-of the line reconstructive procedures. This is important, and needs to be said and said again.
Regular folks in the U.S. die, go bankrupt, and lose jobs and homes because of inequalities in the for-profit health care system. Jolie does not have to worry about these things, and not once did I use the word “hate”.
Just because I do not follow everyone with the Saint Jolie bandwagon does not mean that I am small minded. Like I said before, and for some reason that post is not here, but opinions are like…well, you know how the saying goes, and this is America. Everyone is entitled to their own speech and thoughts. thanks.
@ Jessica
As someone so rightly pointed out yesterday, this is not America. CB is an international site and today’s comments have come from women around the world – many of whom have said that things work differently in their country.
And Jolie specifically mentioned how prohibitively expensive testing is in the US. That wasn’t thrown in just to pad the page but to bring attention to the fact that life saving measures are out of reach for many Americans. I think that is pretty awesome. She doesn’t ‘have’ to give a damn if anyone else can afford access but she clearly does.
You completely assaulted my words.
Who ‘assaulted’ your words? Me? How?
What I meant by America was our Country, not this website specifically. AJ is an American, is she not?? I realize that this is on the internet and that anyone, in any country can view this. I did not mention any other country in any of my posts. I didn’t say that she or anyone need to give a damn about what regular people can afford. Seems like you and others are jumping on me for having my own opinion about the matter.
@ Lulu T.O. and Jessica–
Once the human spirit is broken, all else fails.
Before Angleina spoke, where were your thoughts about cancer prevention and how much did you know about access to information? Since Jolie spoke we have been afforded free information in record time through blogs, internet and mass media not to mention the medical community’s position has been given a higher platform within HOURS—all because Angleina Jolie spoke up about her personal struggle with an inherited family gene.
The information that has been provided on this and other sites has been very helpful to me and many other women. And yes, we are grateful for the information and healthy discussions.
You alone could never generate such an interest. Be thankful that Angelina uses her infamous, global megawatt status to spark interest and therefore, action.
Cancer can strike anyone anywhere at anytime. Being poor is not an excuse for not being aware. Access to information is a challenge that can be fixed, and it is a challenge for everyone. If you would focus on the quality of life, you would realize that all choices in life are not based on wealth.
As Brad stated, Angelina had a “team” behind her, and doctors have noted that Brad was a key component. Each team member played a part, so it wasn’t just money that made this success story possible.
The dialog that Jolie initiated will help motivate the political, medical and social communities into action. Jolie has only just begun her treatment plan.
You just have to decide what role you would like to play. The past is the past. Each day you have a chance to affect change. We have seen what Jolie has done. What will you do?
@josephena: I am very aware – have been since it was recommended to me that I have the test done 10 years ago. This is not new technology. I hope you didn’t miss what I said about loving how public AJ is being about this. But really you are attempting to shame me about my statement that her surgeries are only available to the wealthy? Sorry, it isn’t going to work, because it is true, and I did not state it out of some kind of malice toward Jolie.
@mich: No, I haven’t missed the posts on healthcare reform. And I’m quite sure that countries with socialized medicine would not pay for the kind of reconstruction that she had done. I don’t know that they would even pay for the preventative surgery or even the $3000 genetic test.
@ Lulu T. O.-
This has been discussed earlier, but your perspective may just be from the US Healthcare system’s point of view. There exist other healthcare systems outside the U.S. (i.e. Canada) where this information WILL HELP other women further investigate about making a choice to sustain their health and better their lives.
Where I live there are a number of foundations dedicated to helping women to pay for medical expenses relating to cancer. You have to investigate– you will be amazed at what resources are available if you search for it. Will it help every single women with cancer? No, but Americans have chosen not to embrace socialized medicine and fight against the concept of universal healthcare. Americans do not want to pay for other people’s healthcare. Yet, when someone is able to acquire and benefit from healthcare that keeps them alive at a price point that prices you out, then it becomes “unfair.”
Equally important is access to information about healthcare options. If we are unsatisfied with the healthcare system, then perhaps we should get involved and become savvy about how to change it.
How much sense does it make to snark yet fall short about getting involved to affect change?
@Jessica.
Nobody said you can’t have your opinion, so don’t act like people did. It’s a weak tactic. As soon as you put an opinion out there, people will have an opinion on your opinion. That is part of free speech. People disagreeing with you is not the same as you being denied the right to free speech.
And if you had actually read what they all said, you would have noticed that their point was not that you can’t have an opinion (since not everything is about you and your right to an opinion), but that the blame for the things you dislike lies not with Angelina, but the system.
@ lulu: Here in Oz, the BRCA tests, prophylactic mastectomy and reconstruction (including the type Angie got) are all covered under the public system. You have to pay for parking at the hospital, that’s it.
The drawbacks are:
a: Can’t choose your doctor. (Can be avoided by going private and paying $10-$20k in private fees)
b: May have a waiting list. Depends on where you live and why you’re getting the mastectomy. (E.g., BRCA1 is higher risk, so they’d try to schedule it within 6 months, but you might have to wait a year if you’ve got a faulty BRCA2 gene, or 2 years if you’ve got a non-genetic problem that only raises your risk by 5%. And of course, if there’s a sudden influx of women with actual cancer, they get to go first and prophylactic mastectomies can wait.) Again, long waiting lists can be avoided by paying to go private.
I’m sure the Europeans and Canadians will be along soon to say that their healthcare also doesn’t suck.
@ Lulu: I’m too late to edit, but on re-reading, that probably came out too harsh. I am actually entirely sympathetic that your healthcare system sucks. Just blame the right thing … for you, in the US, this isn’t a rich/poor isse, you’re in a 1st world country, the problem is that your health-care system sucks. And it’s something you can fight to fix!
There is a rich/poor issue here, but it’s about the fact breast cancer is far more deadly in 3rd world nations. If you’re in the US, even if you’re struggling, you’re wealthy by world-wide standards.
I had cancer 7 years ago and had a histerectomy I do still have my ovaries, my boyfriend at the time was very supportive and made sure to assure he loved me anyways no matter what. You have no idea what that meant to me at the time and how important it is to know your partner’s love thorugh hard times.
Our relationship ended a few years later for other reasons but for being there for me at that time I will be forever grateful and for sure he has a special place in my heart not only for that but also because I know he was the love of my life 🙂
Bless you !
I know family and partner are a great part of the recovering process. The more support you have of your loved ones, the more you have a reason to not give up the fight till total recovery.
In any case, thanks for sharing and many blessings !
Aj as a mother has really thought ahead to show her strength & courage & made a really great strong example for her daughters(Shiloh , vivvianne) who might likely be faced with similar geneticly inherited health problems . Her positive educated strength & awareness will see them with a healthy bright future .Her early intervention on this will likey save thier lives . Now that is a badass mom amazing .
Hold on,
As I understand it, Shiloh and Vivienne aren’t the only ones who need to worry. I was watching a segment on CBS Up to the Minute this morning and this gene mutation can increase chances of pancreatic, skin, and prostate cancer. So theoretically, all of the children will need to look into this when they are older, since Maddox, Zahara and Pax likely don’t have access to an extensive breakdown of their biological family’s medical history.
@pwal, who wrote: “As I understand it, Shiloh and Vivienne aren’t the only ones who need to worry. I was watching a segment on CBS Up to the Minute this morning and this gene mutation can increase chances of pancreatic, skin, and prostate cancer.”
As I read it, the gene is passed through the mother and is more prevalent in woman.
pwal
When AJ adopted her children she got extensive testing and screening for all health problems they may get in the future. If there was a living parent she got what health info she could. That’s info that takes money to get, but will be priceless in the future for their health and quality of life. I think it’s also very nice that the children adopted all have homes where they are originally from and take family trips back so they can stay connected to their roots.
@ Emma: no, no. Not passed through the mother.
Equal numbers of men and women have these genes. And a faulty BRCA gene increases the risk of breast cancer in both males and females … it’s just that male breast cancer is so rare that even a ten-fold increase still means very, very few cases of cancer.
Knox, Vivienne and Shiloh each have a 50% chance of having this gene. If the girls have it, odds are they’d develop breast cancer by the time they were 70. If the boy has it, odds are he won’t develop breast cancer, but he would have a much higher risk than other males. Anyone with the gene would then have a 50% chance of passing it down to each of their kids.
The increased risk of other cancers is only tiny. There are hundreds of different types of BRCA mutations … some seem to cause pancreatic cancer, others don’t. No pancreatic cancer in Jolie’s family (as far as I know), so minimal risk. If anything it might be something like a 2-3% chance of developing it in her lifetime. Nothing like the 87% chance she had of breast cancer.
The adopted kids are almost certainly fine, bad BRCA mutations are pretty rare. The rough estimate of prevalence is 1/800. So Angie could adopt 800 kids and 1 would have it. She’s adopted 3 … odds are they’re all fine.
People keep talking about how everyone can’t afford this or that. What does that have to do with her. I will bet if anyone here had to make that choice and could pay for it you would not care what anyone said.
she is not responsible for the health care system. And because she can afford something should not matter People complaining need to do so to those that are responsible. This is an ongoing issue. and for those that seem to know so much about it I will say what have you been doing actively to change things for the women that can’t afford the testing.
hmmm
Man, you took the thoughts right out of my head. I wish people would stop projecting their anger at the US healthcare system onto Angelina. She wrote an op ed about her experience, she is not necessarily suggesting that this is for everyone. She is one of the most philanthropic celebrities there is and she probably truly just wanted to start a national discussion!
Agreed, Lisa2. Well said!
Agree. This angers me. How can you be angry at her because she has the means to get the surgery. It is not her fault healthcare systems are so bad. People are going on and on ranting about her having manisons and nannies and having no sympathy for her because she has money. She is still a human being and being rich does not prevent her from illnesses.
Exactly. She was sharing her story.I refuse to make this an ugly story. Angelina has proven herself time and again that she is charitable, compassionate and a strong woman. I will forever stand by people who are such.
Beyond the usual trolls, who is angry with her? You guys are reading way too much into some of these posts that simply point out the issues my of us face with limited funds.
Beyond the usual trolls, who is angry with her? You guys are reading way too much into some of these posts that simply point out the issues many of us face with limited funds.
Another cancer that is increasing is skin cancer. Number one country affected : Australia. Number two : the US.
Australia is working on enacting a law to limit or prohibit tanning salons.
Skin Cancer cases has triple within the last twenty years. And i have yet to see a firm stance in the US where tanorexic women are held as prime example of health.
On the rise are skin cancer, cardio vascular accidents due to high blood pressure and obesity and HIV positive cases which in certain cities of the US is on par with AIDS levesl of the most impoverish african country.
The thing is people in rich countries have access to medecines that will maintain their life longer and feel they can have unprotect sex with limitted risks.
There are lots of things to do in terms of prevention and awarness campaigns to tackle those issues.
You are correct. There is a serious gap between our priorities when it comes to disease and those that are most fatal. My doctor is very honest with me. He noted that even through women are terrified of breast cancer, it has a current survival rate of around 95% (that high!). This is largely because its among the easier cancers to detect and people can do it at home. On the flip side, ovarian, uterine and cervical cancers are far more fatal, largely because they are hard to detect. Many women still skip pap smears and pelvic exams, even though they are the best way to find these cancers. In terms of public awareness, the deadliest diseases get little press. You are totally correct. And tanning is still promoted as okay, which boggles my mind.
She is a wonderful and courageous woman (and no, i dont’ really care if she doesn’t fit other people’s perception of bravery or courage. She fits mine. That’s all that matters to me). Speaking publicly about this issue may have garnered her some hateful and judgemental criticism by idiots but it’s worth it if it encourages women to become more infomed about this issue and even get tested.
lets keep a sense of perspective. The way the story was covered on last nights news [channel 4] you’d think the woman had cured cancer. That’s bound to piss some people off.
Well complain to news director for their excessive coverage or change channel.Its not difficult to change channel,not click on stories if you are tired of the coverage.
No offence but perspective would be first and formost, for the other women supporters who for years have called her courrageous, strong and even heroic facing a divorce to get some humility when it comes down to real courrage.
You can’t have it both ways and change your values system today. When you have described how courregous a rich divoree were for facing her so called hardship post divorce in Hollywood while she was healthy, rich, living la vida loca with a string of lovers, you should just have the decency not to even question another woman’s courrage facing illness wether she is rich or not….
Just sayin
Men are constantly being hailed as if they have saved the entire world just for doing good at sports.
So I don’t mind at all when a woman, for once, gets that kind of attention.
Not to be contrary, but Brad really doesn’t have to be as articulate as Angelina. More than anything, his actions will have more impact. If he continues to be a strong source of support for Angelina and an example to his kids, that can do a lot. If he conducts himself with grace, sensitivity, empathy, and tenacity, especially if or when Angelina have a rough day/week/month. Doing so will teach his daughters what they should expect from their significant others and what his sons should expect from themselves when faced with difficulties that their significant others could face.
If other men are inspired by that, that’s just gravy.
Being articulate doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a better communicator than a person with a lesser grasp of the language. Brad speaks volumes and I agree with you.
I didn’t comment yesterday when I heard the news. It was too emitional. I lost both my parents to cancer and i thought if only they went to the dr in the early stages they would still be here today. I think about them everyday and every hour each day..
I love this couple more so.. I too think they are the greatest HW love story .
I hope people wont bring up JA. She is a non enity in this story.. It’s about Angie, Brad and their family.
Meanwhile rich countries engange tremendous resources in unecessary wars while they could use that money or a great deal of it for research and invest socially so that more women have access to those screening tests.
I am glad i live in a country where social security weigh more than in the US when it comes to health expenditures and screenings for the average people.
A wonderful quote from an article in Slate: “Angelina Jolie Removed Her Breasts to Save Her Life. Some Fans Wish She Hadn’t.”By Amanda Hess
http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2013/05/14/angelina_jolie_breast_cancer_surgery_the_actress_discusses_beauty_after.html?wpisrc=most_viral
The author writes about some of the disgusting, snarky remarks men have made online since the Op-Ed. You can read them in the article, but they will make you REALLY angry.
So, skip to the last paragraph and read this from the author:
“I can tell you from experience that when a person you love makes it through that surgery, they have never looked more lovely. I don’t mean that in a strictly emotional sense—it registers physically, too. The way that they look at you when they wake up. The breaths they take. Their smile. The way they move through space. You don’t miss anything: You are reminded of all of the wonderful things that you are not missing. It’s gorgeous.”
I mentioned yesterday my aunt’s husband left her after she had a mastectomy.I can imagine him making comments like the ones mentioned in this article.
Brave, courageous, whatever…I’m not interested in that conversation. But this action was, without qualification, incredibly, immensely radical. Should men start removing their testicles as a preventative measure, because their father died of testicular cancer?
If a man had an 82% chance of getting testicular cancer in his lifetime I wouldn’t blame him. However, I don’t know that medical science has overcome the fact that he’d be a eunuch overnight, and if women can’t take hormonal therapy because of the association with cancer would it be true with men as well? Seems to me it would be a more complicated answer for men s they wouldn’t know which testicle it would attach so would have to remove both. Men with testicular cancer typically just have the cancerous one removed.
There are no ‘shoulds’ in matters like this. There’s no normative way. There’s only individuals with tough choices to make.
I don’t think you understand the situation Meegs. Its not like she just decided to lop off her breasts because ‘her mother and grandmother had it so she might too’. She was tested and she has this gene that leads to breast cancer. The gene is an indicator and is an extremely high risk. There is no equal thing for testicular cancer (which is a slow-growing cancer, breast cancer is very aggressive). The gene test, coupled with the history on her mother’s side, determined that the Doctors calculated she has an 87% chance of getting breast cancer. Ponder that. 87 percent. That means she only has a 13% chance of *not* getting it. Would you take those odds?
this made the news too in my country, and serves to highlight not just the lack of cancer care but healthcare in general, especially since we have a huge section of population who are poor. even the people with money are often hung out to dry because the avenues to health care and counseling are so opaque.
anyway, back to the topic of breast cancer gene, in one segment they are discussing about the upcoming US supreme court (?) hearing on gene test patent by Myriad Co.
i wonder whether this news from Jolie will stay warm enough until the day of the hearing, so as to give the lawmakers etc something to think about.
i’d hate to think that one company holds so much power over someone elses’s hate (yea, i’m aware that they need to recoup their r&d costs or whatever, but monopoly scares me–even the board version does).
lastly, i’d like to commend all the strong ladies at CB who has faced or is facing life with cancer. your personal accounts moved me a lot and they are extremely eyeopening.
I like how the get the whole family involved in the process…including kids looking after their mom when she is home. That’s what I like best about the family, is how they stick together.
I think for many woman.. well I know for myself. If you partner makes you feel loved and supported it is easier to go through this or any crisis. Having that person stand by your side and be there is that lifeline. I know for many women that is not the case and even with someone they are going through it alone.
I love their love. I think they truly love each other and are there for each other. I think for some it is hard to see it because you either have not experienced that before or maybe you are in a relationship that is not all you want it to be.
I pray for them as I do for all those that have and are going through this. I lost my best friend to cancer, and that pain stays. I don’t understand the need to be negative or find something to harp on. Makes no sense to me at all. They are humans and deserve compassion.
Dr. Bruce Lipton,author of Biology of Belief, states:
“In the last decade, epigenetic research has established that DNA blueprints passed down through genes are not set in concrete at birth… Environmental influences, including nutrition, stress and emotions can modify those genes, without changing their basic blueprint.”
Epigentic mechanics have been found to be a factor in a variety of diseases. “In fact, only 5% of cancer and cardiovascular patients can attribute their disease to heredity,”
I am horrified that we have regressed to preventative mastectomies. and more so that so many women are ‘in favor of them.’
yes, i have relatives also with a history, but others whom did not contract said disease. IN fact, it was considered progress a few decades ago, that women no longer needed full matectomies, so they did not need to go through what my relatives of a previous generation did. Now, isolation of a genetic strand is advocating this new trend: a ‘return to the previous method’. Undoubtedly, in decades to come, it will be shown to be unnecessary and perhaps even dangerous.
Good luck to all; I wish no bad will. Just shocked at the embracing of mutilation of the female body in the name of science. Preventative mastectomies are not preventative medicine. And, they are not a guarantee that breast cancer or cancer of the lymph system near the breast, is totally eliminated. There is still a risk.
Yes. And by opting for the radical option she did, Jolie cut her risk from 87% to 5%.
What Mich said.
Lipton is a quack. The full title of the book you’re referring to is “The Biology of Belief – Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter, & Miracles.” His next book was called “The Wisdom of Your Cells – How Your Beliefs Control Your Biology.” He’s a pseudoscientist.
My aunt’s body needed a histerectomy due to huge bleeding myomas. Her doctor would not do it because he was not a “mutilator of women”. She is still with us 30 years later.
I must be the only person out there who, while I definitely applaud what AJ did and for bringing awareness about BRACA1 to the people, thinks she is also not averse to the attention. I think one of her biggest concerns was not what people will think but how SHE would look. Ugh. I don’t think she does one thing that doesn’t benefit her image.
Her image, as well as yours, is a reflection of feedback you get from others. Since 2001 Angelina has given tirelessly HER TIME, money and influence to affect change for other people’s lives. It is now year 2013 and the world has more than taken notice of this courageoues woman who stays consistent in her selfless humanitarian and activist ways.
She could have chosen to remain quiet and let others do the work, indulging completely in the spoils of her labor as an actress and model, or she can get involved and help others with no guarantee of success. There is a reason why she is well-known worldwide. We know what path she has taken… what’s yours?
Well let’s see she had the procedure and was already OUT in public. No one knew a thing. So how is it that she was “worried about how she would look” when we have already seen her after the procedure. See your comment makes no sense.
Especially since this all started in February. She has done several appearances and as I said NOBODY knew anything. We are hearing it after the fact. So how do you explain that.
YOU don’t like her. and no matter what she does or doesn’t do it will never ever be the right thing for you. So that being the case maybe you should just stop reading about her and what she does. Would make things better for you.
Aj just dominated cancer put a ball gag in its mouth & spanked the sh!t out of it !! she did it quickly and efficiently putting it in its place on her terms very powerfully . Letting it know who was in control in a very powerless situation , she is something else , John Wayne when he had cancer his attitude was like get the f@ck outta here cancer very strong respectful character I see that in her . What an amazing person . very inspirational .
I wish her all the luck and good health on the second operation. she is blessed in so many ways.
I hope she beats all of this and comes out stronger and more beautiful than ever. This is her choice and we need to honor everyone’s health approaches to wellness. There’s no one correct way.
If she enters menopause early, I feel sorry for her and hope she is able to handle it well with the options they will give her. Menopause can be very draining if she loses her ovaries and she needs strength to take care of her children.
I am worried about her. Maybe these mastectomy and blood tests are just a front for her. She is very emotionally fragile right now. If I were her family, I would be very worried. Remember, we can not outdo God. Pls. stop harassing Angelina of her pasts. She is already doing her best to make amend. What else do you want?
What amazes me (inspires awe, actually) is that during the worst time, when she was undoubtedly recovering from these surgeries and in full view of the world~that she did her part to appear at all her commitments, and honored the tireless work she has done for disadvantaged people of the world. What a woman!! I am emotional too, and I don’t even know her~Brad Pitt, you are incredible, and you have truly found the mate that you deserve. Muah!
Apparently she’s got a film coming out in July 2014. I can’t wait.
I would like to address the idea that I frequently see posted that if a person does not have health care insurance the person cannot get health care. That is simply NOT true!
You can still be seen by doctors, get tests, and get care. You need to look for free health clinics and free testing. Call your local hospital and ask if they can help you or direct you to help. Call your County Health Department (if you have one) or your State Department of Health.
As a last resort, call the office of the doctor you want to see and explain your situation, asking if the doctor will take payments. I paid one doctor $20/month, on time every month until I paid my bill in full.
Hopefully Obamacare will soon be available to all who need it. But in the meanwhile, please don’t let your health needs go because of a lack of insurance coverage.
Look around, make phone calls, and ASK for help!
I carry the same gene as Angelina, my risk for breast cancer is significant, and I do understand the trauma she underwent losing her mother to breast cancer. I just lost my mother, to HIV and heart disease, but I would likely have lost her to cancer had she survived another 15 years, her mother and grandmother both had breast cancer [though it didn’t cause their deaths directly]. My father’s mother had breast cancer and survived it. His sister had colorectal and did not. His father had lymphoma and did not survive. I am almost certainly going to have a cancer scare at the very least, some day. But I don’t agree with promoting this drastic measure, even though I believe her heart was in the right place and her courage is heroic. I believe the cancer industry is far more deadly to the average person than cancer itself. My fiance has leukemia. I’m very well acquainted with cancer and the mega-billion dollar industry it generates. I also believe that to be prone to cancer is to be prone to cancer, you may cut out one organ and develop it in another. My uncle in law was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer 3 years ago and was given 6 months to “get his affairs in order”…they recommended chemo, he refused. He went on a holistic program and juiced 10x a day….within a year, his PET scan revealed no cancer whatsoever. It has remained so until this day. There is a lot the medical industrial complex gets wrong about cancer treatment. My fiance has fared better with a vegan, juicing diet the past year and a half than he ever did with chemo for his leukemia.
Still, I do understand Angelina’s decision, and I respect her tremendously. I’m not her biggest fan, I’m typically rather critical of her because as someone else with borderline personality disorder, I, rightly or wrongly, feel as though I can see behind a lot of her behavior and decisions. But in this case, I see a girl who was terribly, terribly wounded by the early loss of her mother, who decided to do whatever it took to give herself the peace of mind that the same disease wouldn’t put her own children through that trauma. My mother died 2 months ago at 57, I feel robbed, and I fully understand her heartbreak. It’s a pain beyond description.